THE WALL OF FACES

1LT Richard W. Ford was an Infantry Unit Commander serving with Echo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. On March 18, 1971, Ford was on a small firebase four kilometers (2.4 miles) northeast of Nui Hot (Hill 202) in Long Khanh Province, RVN. The base was manned by about a dozen GI’s and a mortar section in support of Echo Company reconnaissance teams operating in the area. At approximately 11:00 AM, Ford had an 81mm dud mortar round he wanted to dispose of. He and an enlisted man carried it to the edge of the perimeter where they placed a block of C4 explosive on it. They lit the fuse and moved a safe distance away. When a Platoon Sergeant realized what they were doing, he yelled to Ford that an Observation Post was located close by. Ford ran back to remove the fuse, and as he bent over the munitions, they exploded. He was fatally injured after sustaining blast and fragmentation injuries to the head and body. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Buck Buchanan (November 2023)]

Image courtesy of Redbird Research LLC, Saint Charles, MO.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from your brother John are poignant and reflect his enduring love for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever…..

1st Lt. Richard William Ford was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action. He served as an Infantry Unit Commander and was assigned to E CO, 1ST BN, 5TH CAVALRY, 1ST CAV DIV.
See http://www.coffeltdatabase.org/detreq2.php
See also https://army.togetherweserved.com/

First Lieutenant Richard William Ford, Served with Company E, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, United States Army Vietnam.